Rents jumped by almost a third in Wales and the North East last month, according to new figures from Propertymark. The trade body's October rental price and salary tracker shows average rents increased in eight of the 11 regions surveyed.
Wales recorded the sharpest monthly rise, up 31.1% from £995 to £1,304. The North East followed with a 29.8% increase, taking average rents from £872 to £1,132. The figures suggest significant regional volatility, although changes in the mix of properties let could influence monthly averages.
Regional Variations in Rent Changes
Meanwhile, London, Scotland and the North West recorded falls. Average monthly rents in London dropped 3.9% to £2,322, down from £2,415 in September. Scotland recorded a 3.5% fall to £1,094, while rents in the North West declined 2.7% to £1,079.
Elsewhere, the South West saw a 7.5% increase, taking average rents to £1,350. The East Midlands recorded a 2.3% rise, while rents in the South East and Yorkshire and Humberside increased by 1%.
London Remains Most Expensive Region
London remains the most expensive region for tenants. Average rents of £2,322 compare with £971 in Yorkshire and Humberside, the cheapest region in the survey.
Propertymark's figures also highlight the growing income requirements facing prospective tenants. The representative annual salary needed to secure an average-priced rental in London now stands at £69,660. That compares with £29,130 in Yorkshire and Humberside and £30,420 in the East Midlands.
Salary Requirements and Supply Concerns
The calculations reflect a common referencing affordability threshold, where annual earnings must equal at least 30 times the monthly rent. Across the UK, the salary requirement increased year-on-year in eight of the 11 regions. Scotland recorded the largest rise at 3.2%, followed by Wales at 3% and the South West at 2.5%.
However, three regions recorded improvements. The North East saw the biggest annual reduction, with the required salary falling 6.1% to £33,960. The East Midlands recorded a 2.8% decline, while the North West saw a 1.1% reduction. Despite October's sharp monthly increase, average rents in the North East remain below their October 2025 level of £1,205.
Kim Lidbury, president of ARLA Propertymark, said the figures highlighted continuing affordability pressures and significant regional differences. “The October figures highlight the continued challenges facing renters across much of the UK, with average monthly rents increasing in eight of the 11 regions.”
She added: “The particularly sharp rises recorded in Wales and the North East stand out, demonstrating how quickly rental costs can change and the differing pressures experienced across the country.”
Lidbury said increasing rental housing supply remained essential to improving affordability. “Supporting responsible landlords to remain in the sector and invest in their properties, while addressing the wider shortage of housing, will be essential to creating a more balanced and sustainable private rented sector for tenants.”
